By John A. C. Cartner

We hear a lot about port congestion especially on the West Coast. In shipping there is always another way and it seems that the NVOCC’s are coming out of the woodwork offering East Coast and Gulf Coast alternatives to the West Coast routes. They are prospering. I am not sure the regulars are in the container trades. So how does this work? NVOCC’s act likes carriers and book cargoes but they do not operate vessels but charter slots or ships on the spot market or for the customer. They are more than forwarders. But the point here is that they can be very nimble.

Maritime TV is pleased to present another program in the Internet TV series known as “Conversations with Cartner”, a weekly video and blog discussion on maritime industry issues of the day with Shipmaster and Maritime Lawyer, Dr. John A.C. Cartner. In this 6th program in the series, Dr. Cartner addresses the complex dynamics surrounding port delays and congestion on the U.S. west coast including the dependence on “Just-in-Time’ (JIT) inventory. Dr. Cartner will shortly be providing subsequent thoughts based on this issue through an updated “Conversations with Cartner” Watch the video after the jump.

Maritime TV 'Conversations with Cartner'A weekly discussion on maritime industry issues of the day with Shipmaster and Maritime Lawyer, Dr. John A.C. Cartner.

The opinions expressed by Dr. John A.C. Cartner in the ‘Conversations with Cartner’ Video Series and accompanying blogs are the opinions of Dr. Cartner and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff and management of Maritime TV, or its parent network, TV Worldwide, Inc.